Monklands will be at the forefront of new multi-million-pound plans by North Lanarkshire Council to transform its town centres.

Airdrie and Coatbridge are included in the first phase of the regeneration project, with a focus on replacing “large-scale, outdated retail outlets, commercial buildings and residential provision with a flexible mix of modern mixed-use development”.

Striking artists’ impressions were presented to the enterprise and housing committee to illustrate ambitions including creating modern town-centre housing developments, social and green spaces and free public wifi zones.

The project is part of a wider economic plan which also takes in new housebuilding, infrastructure and industry, with £32.75m allocated for town centre and business regeneration to “help kick-start the work over the first five years”.

Council officials say the town-centre project includes “coming up with creative ways to generate a regular evening economy and diversify outdoor, retail and industrial spaces” to form “modern, vibrant communities where people live, work and socialise”.

Committee convener Allan Graham said: “We want to breathe life back into town centres, making them fit with current lifestyles.

“In recent years the way we all live has changed, with a huge increase in online shopping and use of digital services. Our social lives are also focused around experiences so we need to provide facilities and amenities for people alongside the new housing in town centres.”

An artist's impression of regenerated and modernised town centres planned by North Lanarkshire Council

He added: “This will also create jobs, support business and grow the local economy. These may seem dramatic changes but these are ambitious plans that will develop long-term sustainability.

“By locating modern housing beside community and leisure facilities, shops and services, all connected to ultrafast broadband, we will create town centres that people want to live, work and socialise in.”

Council leader Jim Logue, whose Airdrie Central ward includes the town centre, told the Advertiser: “It’s not ‘one size fits all’ and will be localised to each community.

“There will be information sessions with local members in each area and feedback to community councils and residents and I think this transformation will see a lot fewer shops and more houses in town centres.

“The decline of town centres isn’t unique to North Lanarkshire and it’s a recurring theme which needs to be addressed.”

He said of his own ward: “South Bridge Street has been in decline for a long period, particularly highlighted by the decline of the Orr’s building. Throughput has diminished considerably and it needs to be radically looked at to be commercially sustainable.

“I’m confident this will mean town centres will be more vibrant and attractive and I’d like to think we’ll see more pedestrians and more green in these areas – and Airdrie and Coatbridge is an ideal opportunity.”

SNP group leader David Stocks said: “We’re supporting this vision. Let’s hope it comes to fruition and, although it will take time, everyone’s confident that it will do.

“It would be nice to see new builds and some of the old buildings being refurbished and brought up to a nice standard, giving that mix of old and new.

“It’ll be five or six years until we see a difference but I think it will be good and we’ll see a big difference, which is badly needed.”

A report for councillors said Coatbridge town centre had a vacancy rate of 16.4 per cent in 2016, while the figure for Airdrie was 11.2 per cent.

It read: “Promoting ‘town centre first’ and niche retailing, evening economy and leisure to address the changing nature of town centre retailing is not enough. A new model needs to be developed that provides a broader foundation.

“Living towns with a much stronger housing focus, new build, conversion and refurbishment which includes targeting existing derelict retail sites and locations will all play a role.

“A study has been commissioned which will reenvision town centres as mixed-use hubs supporting a range of community activity and town-centre living.”